Ramallah, September 26 (RHC)-- Israeli forces have clashed with Palestinian protesters southeast of the West Bank town of Nablus, following the funeral of a Palestinian youth who was shot dead by the forces of the Tel Aviv regime.

During the clashes in the town of Beit Furik, Israeli forces fired tear gas at the Palestinians, injuring several protesters. Earlier, thousands of Palestinians in the town had attended the funeral for the 26-year-old Ahmad Izzat Khatatbeh.

Mourners at the funeral condemned the Israeli killing and called for justice over the death of the handicapped victim. The victim, who was reportedly deaf and unable to speak, died of his wounds on September 24th. He was shot by Israeli forces at a West Bank checkpoint last week.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the man was shot after a group of Palestinians hurled a petrol bomb at a passing car in the area. A UN documentation shows that Khatatbeh is one of at least 26 Palestinians who have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year. The figure does not include those killed in attacks by Israeli settlers or prisoners who died in Israeli jails.